Derry Cairngorm

Munro

This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.

Altitude

1155 m (3789 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.

NO01729804

An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.

Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.

Meaning

Blue peak of Glen Derry

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

Description

Derry Cairngorm is a 6km long mountain forming the W slopes of Glen Derry. The summit, which is an elongated cone lying NW to SE lies towards the N end of the mountain between Coire Sputan Dearg (of Ben MacDui) to the W and and Coire Lochain Uaine to the E.

The E slopes into Glen Derry are generally craggy and steep and should be avoided whereas the W slopes generally have more moderate inclines and fewer rocky outcrops.

The summit cone is composed of boulders, the upper slopes are of short grass and the lower slopes of grass and heather.

The normal access routes are from Glen Luibeg to the S or from Loch Etchachan to the NW.

A long rewarding day which took 11.5 hrs to complete.
Care is required when crossing the bouldery summits of Ben MacDui & Derry Cairngorm. A fine ridge walk from Carn a'Mhaim & Ben MacDui. A moderate although long route for the reasonably fit.

Derry Cairngorm is the closest of the Cairgorm Munros to the Linn of Dee, but this is still a relatively big day requiring endurance. The Mountain is an easy ascent, but the boulder strewn summit slopes can be slow to cross. The route duration can be shor

Post a few words about Derry Cairngorm or read what others have had to say.

Comments

Christine Georgewrote on
May 21, 2007

Superb path all the way from the footbridge at Derry Lodge, leads all the way up to Carn Crom, the path splits here, 1 goes along the east side of Carn Crom, the other goes up and over the top of Carn Crom, the short exposed section on bare granite is on the path that goes along the east side of Carn Crom so take the path that goes up and over Carn Crom if you want to miss the exposed bit. Path then is quite clear all the way up to the bouldery section just below the summit.

Roger Vander Steenwrote on
August 18, 2006

There is a rebuilt path from Derry Lodge to beyond Carn Crom. Continue straight on at the footbridge and over stiles at two deer fences. At the first crags (600 metres) stop to admire
the work which has gone into making the path. The top of Carn Crom is by-passed on the east; there is a very short exposed section here on bare granite. The terrain on the whole
summit area is bouldery.

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.